PRIESTS OF THE PARISH
Rev John Doherty PP Tel: 028 7188 2274
Rev Paul Farren Tel: 028 7188 3247

Sunday, July 4th 2010

The 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Christ, our peace

Jesus said to his disciples: “The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest”. When we think about our world today we are inclined to think primarily of the evil that is undoubtedly there. Jesus’ perception is just the opposite as he sees the wonderful opportunities that are all around us. And when we think of labourers for the harvest we are inclined to think primarily of priests and religious and we pray for more vocations. That, of course, is a very important thing to do. But even more importantly we need to think of ourselves as the labourers and take up the challenge to be apostles of Christ in our everyday lives. We are apostles of Christ through the generosity of our love in marriage and family life and in our willingness to build a community of faith and generosity in our parish. Vocations to the priesthood and religious life can only come from generous homes and generous parishes.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 4th July, 2010

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

First Reading: Isaiah 33:10-14
Written after the return from the Babylonian exile, this poem paints a glowing picture of the blessings God will bestow on Jerusalem and its inhabitants.

Second Reading: Galatians 6:14-18
Paul insists that the Christian life means becoming like Christ. He himself bears the marks of Christ’s passion on his body.

Gospel: Luke 10:1-12.17-20
The sending out of seventy-two disciples.

Our Choirs Fall Silent

Our three parish choirs will now be taking a well-earned break for the summer. As we thank them for their music ministry during the year, we ask the members of our congregation to kindly join in the singing of the hymns printed below.

Entrance Hymn

Sweet Heart Of Jesus

Sweet heart of Jesus, fount of love and mercy.
Today we come, thy blessing to implore;
O touch our hearts, so cold and so ungrateful,
And make them, Lord, thine own for evermore.
Sweet heart of Jesus, we implore,
O make us love thee more and more.

Recessional Hymn

Hail Queen Of Heaven

Hail, Queen of heav’n, the ocean star,
Guide of the wand’rer here below:
Thrown on life’s surge, we claim thy care:
Save us from peril and from woe.
Mother of Christ, star of the sea,
Pray for the wand’rer, pray for me.

O gentle, chaste and spotless maid,
We sinners make our prayers through thee:
Remind thy Son that he has paid
The price of our iniquity.
Virgin most pure, star of the sea,
Pray for the sinner, pray for me.

The Church, a source of Joy?

Lord, we look at ourselves today, and we ask two questions: “Is the Church a source of great joy for us?” and “Do we, the Church, proclaim you in the face of every evil around us?” We are not sure that we can answer yes to either question. Too often we see the Church as killing joy, not giving it; and too often our own participation in the church is restricted to fulfilling obligations. Well, Lord, the two are tied together. No wonder we are not joyful. We have not entered into the heart of what the Church really is.

Lord, clutch our hearts to you. Help us to want what you wanted. When together we speak your name without fear, when together we are willing to confront evil with good and human suffering with a healing touch, we will know your joy. Our Church will then mean something to us. It will be our home, our consolation.

Last week’s Collection was £1,570.00. Many thanks.

Padre Pio Devotions

Padre Pio devotions will take place in the Immaculate Conception Church, Strabane on Wednesday 7th July with the Rosary at 6.45pm followed by Mass at 7.00pm.

Month’s Mind Mass
The Month’s Mind Mass for the late Brigid Crawford, Porthall will take place in the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday 6th July at 7.30pm.

The next Pioneer Meeting will take place on Monday at 8.00pm, followed by a meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

For the children who were confirmed this year – if any of them would like to join the Pioneer Association, please contact any of the following Council members: Mary Hegarty, Patrick Street; John Devine, Cloughcor; or Jackie Hunt, Glenmornan. Any other person who would like to join is most welcome and can also contact any of the above people.

Carmelite Pilgrimage to Knock
Sunday 18th July 2010. A coach leaves Termonbacca at 7.30am with a pick up point at Melmount Centre at 8.00am. Returning to Derry at approximately 11.00pm. Return coach, snack on the way down and a four course evening meal. Fare £35 stg or €40 euro. For further information telephone [028] 71262512 during office hours only.

Sick and Housebound

The sick and the housebound will be attended on the morning and afternoon of Tuesday 6th July. We apologise for having to postpone the visits because of two funerals last Tuesday.

True glory
Some people have an excessive need of approval from others.
The great luminaries of stage and screen glow
under the adulation of their fans.
But when the curtain goes down, and the lights fade,
they often feel empty and lonely,
because they realise that they are valued,
not for themselves, but only for their talent.
Lord, grant that I may not get carried away when people praise me,
or become downcast when people ignore me.
Grant that I may have a little lamp of my own,
a lamp which will enable me to see the dignity which you have given me,
and which no one can take from me.